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Priest assaulted during Orange Order march violence

Sunday, 21 June 2009

A Catholic priest was assaulted by a rioter during violence on the streets of north Belfast on Friday night.

Holy Cross parish priest Fr Gary Donegan condemned those responsible for the disorder which flared during the Orange Order’s Tour of the North parade.

The Fermanagh-born priest was assaulted by a young rioter as he tried to restore peace to the streets around Ardoyne.

Stones and other missiles were thrown as the Orangemen passed the shop fronts on the Ardoyne Road. During the disturbances, blamed on dissident |republicans, Fr Donegan was pushed and jostled by a rioter.

The priest, who spent his 45th birthday attempting to defuse tensions in the area, said that the incident displayed a lack of respect for anyone in a position of authority.

Fr Donegan said: “Probably that young person doesn’t recognise my authority, or anybody

else’s for that matter. We don’t want this. The community is tired of it. For a young person to come up and be involved in what is commonly known as |recreational rioting is not acceptable.”

Sinn Fein MLA for the area, Gerry Kelly blamed people from “certain micro groups” for orchestrating the violence.

“Sadly, these individuals succeeded in enticing a small number of vulnerable young people into attacking the parade with stones,” he said.

North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum spokesman Winston Irvine said that some marchers had been injured during the attack.

PSNI chief superintendent, Mark Hamilton said that a “small element” had been intent on creating disorder.

But he added: “We were pleased and encouraged by the orderly and respectful way in which the event was conducted and marshalled.”

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Mark, why do you bother coming on and spout nonsense? The kkk were responsible for deliberately killing people because of their colour, the orange order is a religious order, celebrating their freedom from the catholic church. That is a vast difference. Now if his wife took him to a ira memorial parade, that would be spot on in the comparision of the kkk, as both systematically killed people because of intolerance.The twelfth is a vast attraction in NI, and the biggest attraction of the year.

Posted by stephen 1 | 22.06.09, 17:09 GMT

Aaron

If you were married to black lady would you take her and your family to Klu Klux Klan ceremony?..I don't think so.As for the potential of which you speak, catch a grip! Most protestants that I know get out of the north over the 12th in an attempt to avoid the embarassment that the day causes.It's cringeworthy stuff!

Posted by mark | 22.06.09, 16:21 GMT

I'm a protestant man married to a catholic wife & would love to see the day when my whole mixed family can enjoy the parades in peace. They have so much potential & would gather people from all countries in the world-it is such a unique spectacle to most & should be available to be enjoyed by all. Both sides of the community have their own beliefs & should be free to celebrate them as they always have done. It amounts to a few days a year-not much to ask. Live and let live. No-one cares any more

Posted by Aaron | 22.06.09, 14:33 GMT

mark, you?....work? Don't lie!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the real bitterness lies in the nationalist/republican community being so full of hatred for those of an Orange persuasion. Why not ask your invisible workmates this. Why do you hate us so? Can't you let it go? Haven't you got a field to mow?

Posted by mi-ck-ey | 22.06.09, 13:26 GMT

Mickey, Stephen + William (aka 'the axis of intolerance')

I have just showed your posts to around 10 people at work. I sometimes like to show such bitterness and hatred to guage their reactions and restore my faith in the people of the North. Needless to say your horrible comments have repulsed every right minded person....good work lads!

Posted by mark | 22.06.09, 11:30 GMT

tut, tut. catholics assaulting priests, who would have thought that?
the marches are here to stay, tolerate them, and get on with life. Or, rather, get a life first....

Posted by stephen | 22.06.09, 10:17 GMT

William, while its very easy to, lets not get off topic here. This is yet more intolerance towards those of an Orange persuasion by the nationalist /republican community. When will they admit they have no intention of "uniting" with Protestants or Unionists? And if they're worried about 'getting upset' over Orangemen, women and children celebrating victory by parading, why not stay indoors and watch The Bill?

Posted by mi-ck-ey | 22.06.09, 09:42 GMT

I'd love to know what "authority" Fr. Donegan is referring to. Didn't he know that after all the sexual abuse perpetrated by his colleagues, no one has any respect for him or his church.

Posted by William | 21.06.09, 19:52 GMT

Yet again we hear of bad news from North Belfast. How can anybody live there! I would be ashamed and move if I did - even if I lived in a seven bedroom mansion and had a million in cash! There is no way anybody can tell me that marching is not a provacative (and emotional) act. I am sorry if this statement offends but marching , in my opinion, is causing trouble in NI - especially the sectarian Orange order marches.

Posted by John | 21.06.09, 19:06 GMT

In the USA, prades are for all, NOT FOR any ONE group. This socalled PRADE just WANTS trouble. I wish ULSTER whould get with the TIME as a true member of the E.U.. Try it and you all will be better off. What ULSTER really needs is a total seperation of CHURCH & STATE.

Posted by phl | 21.06.09, 18:59 GMT

Could someone explain to me, Catholic or non-Catholic, why these inflamatory parades are even permitted, especially in neighbourhoods where they are guaranteed to incite trouble? Please don't use the excuse of "free speech" because it is illegal to cry "Fire" in a crowded theatre because of the potential consequences.

Maybe the PSNI have an answer, but I doubt it. Mr. Hamilton: "How many arrests did your people make?" What a wonderful Summer ahead for the people of N. Ireland!

Posted by Edward | 21.06.09, 18:53 GMT